Cheryl’s optimistic about Alterna: I was wondering if you could help me justify spending $60 a bottle on Shampoo and conditioner for the Alterna “ten” products? I have used them and like them, but am I getting my money’s worth?
The Right Brain replies: 
Cheryl, you certainly are NOT getting your money’s worth. Alterna seems to specialize in selling over-priced hair care products. In this case, they’ve created a monster of a conditioner with over 90 (!) ingredients. Based on looking at the ingredient list, it appears that the first few chemicals, like Behentrimonium chloride, silicone derivatives, and fatty esters, make this a pretty good conditioner. But the next several dozen plant extracts and enzymes have no demonstrated benefit on hair. We’re talking about things like African Cacao Extract, White Truffle Oil, Champagne Grape Seed Oil, Bulgarian Evening Primrose, Arabian Frankincense, Moroccan Quillaia Bark and Arnica Flower. Moroccan oil might have a small effect.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Can we help you justify spending that kind of money? Well, if you like the way Alterna makes your hair feel and you can afford the $60, then there’s certainly nothing wrong with splurging on yourself occasionally. But it seems ridiculous to us to use such an expensive conditioner on a daily basis considering there’s no special science behind it.
Has anyone else tried Alterna 10? Leave a comment and share your experience with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
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Wow. That’s so expensive for Shampoo/Conditioner. I don’t want to ever use anything that would make me cry if it spilled or was left open and watered.
THe ingredients are just trumped up fancy way of saying Grapseed Oil, Cocoa Butter/oil, and Omegas. Frankensense is used to soothe the scalp and rejuvenates hair. Waste of money, honestly.
hairsmystory.com
Oh you just made my heart sink! I so love Alterna! My hair has never felt or looked more fabulous. But just like your reader, the price is steep and I can’t afford to buy it (the original was sent to me to review). Alterna is even in my top 10 for favorite beauty products of 2007.
I’m glad you made the ingredients clear though.
Despite my hair fabulosity, I guess I shouldn’t be saving my pennies to buy it. Can you suggest a more affordable alternative?
I love, love, love this product, it is worth it’s weight in gold… As a beauty professional I can not afford to use it on all my clients, but for lucky few that I have used it on Iv’e seen a drastick changen in the condition of there hair from the the natural shine to condition of the scalp. Iv’e also noticed a big change in the ends of the hair. I am willing to give up my daily expresso to buy this product.
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